Student Services

Veterans Benefits Program

The Financial Aid Office assists eligible student veterans and their spouses and dependents in obtaining veterans’ educational benefits in compliance with Veterans Administration procedures and regulations. To receive veterans’ benefits, students must be admitted to Galveston College, enroll in a degree-seeking or certificate-seeking program and apply for veteran’s educational benefits. Current students should visit or contact the Financial Aid Office each semester after registering for classes to verify their eligibility of benefits. For more information regarding Veterans Administration education benefits, contact the Financial Aid Office at 409-944-1232.

Veterans Benefits And Transition Act Of 2018

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), Galveston College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Veterans Readiness and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA.

NOTE: A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Veterans Readiness and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Galveston College will permit any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to Galveston College a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website– eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.

2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Galveston College will not:

• Prevent nor delay the student's enrollment;

• Assess a late penalty fee to the student;

• Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;

• Deny the student access to any resources available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution, including but not limited to access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities.

Senior Citizens Discount

All United States citizens who are residents of Galveston Community College District who have attained the age of 65 years (65 and older) are eligible to receive a 100% tuition discount for credit courses and a 50% discount for associated fees for credit courses (exceptions include individual music instruction, course fees, liability insurance, health fees, and testing fees). Tuition/fee adjustment requests for credit courses must be made at the time of registration.

Degree Audit

You may view your degree progress in your Whitecaps Portal. A degree audit is a computerized evaluation report that compares completed, in progress, and transfer coursework against program requirements. An audit report is generated that reflects coursework compared to requirements of a declared major at Galveston College. The audit is unofficial and should be used only as a tool to assist with planning future coursework. Students are strongly encouraged to work closely with a Counselor, Faculty Advisor, or Program Coordinator when interpreting the report.

New and continuing students can view their degree progress by following these instructions:

1. Go to GC.EDU

2. Click on Whitecaps Portal.

3. Click the “myGC” Logo

4. Select "Student Planning and Registration"

5. Select "View my Progress"

Academic Fresh Start

Academic Fresh Start entitles residents of Texas to seek admission to public institutions of higher education as undergraduate students without consideration of courses undertaken 10 or more years prior to enrollment. An applicant for admission who is a Texas resident may enter Galveston College pursuant to the “academic fresh start” status, Texas Education Code, §51.931. Applicants can request a Petition for Academic Fresh Start from the Office of Admissions.

a) Fresh Start must be declared upon entrance to the College. Students who do not declare upon entrance will not be considered after they have enrolled.

b) An applicant who elects to apply under this statute may not receive any course credits or grades earned for courses taken 10 or more years prior to enrollment.

Notes: Academic Fresh Start does not apply to Financial Aid or VA benefits guidelines and/or regulations. Should the student seek admission under this option, then no college courses or credits 10 years or older will be evaluated. (A student's TSI exemption, based on work completed prior to the fall of 1989, is retained even if a student elects to take advantage of the Academic Fresh Start program.) This option does not relieve students from notifying the college of attendance at previous institutions, nor of the need to submit transcripts indicating all previous course work attempted.

Special Services

Registration assistance and academic support are available for students with disabilities and for special populations. For further information and to register for services, students should contact the Counseling Center in Moody Hall at 409-944-1220.

Student ID Cards

All Galveston College students are required to possess and display a valid Galveston College Student Identification card.

A Galveston College student ID card is required for college services such as the Library, Gym, the Student Success Center, and in the Testing Center. Students must be registered and provide proof of tuition settlement before receiving a student ID. Students having a Galveston College ID card will be given a current semester sticker upon registration verification. Students may obtain their ID card at the IT Service Desk in room R-120. Please note: the picture you take for your ID will be the picture that faculty and staff see when they access your account.

Parking Permits

All students, faculty, and staff at Galveston College are required to identify their motor vehicles on campus through the use of a Galveston College Parking Permit. Parking permits can be obtained during normal business hours, at no cost at the IT Service Desk in room R-120. You will need to know your student ID number and your license plate number. A parking permit is required for every vehicle you will drive on campus. For a complete listing of the Parking Rules and Regulations, go online to www.gc.edu

Galveston College Career Placment and Tutoring Center

The Career Placement and Tutoring Center, located in N-119, provides free tutoring for any currently enrolled Galveston College student. It is staffed by a coordinator, two aides and 10 tutors. Tutors are provided training and national certification by the National Tutoring Association. Tutors are available for one- on-one sessions with students at the SSC or through Skype sessions online. Students must bring their college identification card (ID) in order to sign-in and out, access the internet, and check-out textbooks and laptops that are available for use within the Center only. The facility offers white boards for group studying and/or tutoring; it also offers 16 computers designated for tutoring or virtual learning, and a positive learning environment.